“One of the best burgers ever in a fun and friendly atmosphere.”
An epic ski trip leaves a big impression both on and off the slopes and, for the latter, a great mountain restaurant is key.
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It’s the coldest chairlift in the Northeast, according to Boston.com readers
When we asked Boston.com readers which ski resort had the best restaurants on the mountain, three resorts elicited the most responses: Sugarbush Resort in Vermont, Sugarloaf Mountain and Sunday River Resort in Maine. Readers named several restaurants at each station, along with their favorite dishes.
Although it doesn’t officially serve mountain fare, the Bag & Kettle restaurant near Sugarloaf was a clear favorite.
Ahead, check out the most mouth-watering mountain fare skiers have tasted between runs at New England resorts.
Massachusetts
Nashoba Valley Ski Area
- Outlook Restaurant
- “Great variety, full bar, and everything I’ve tried over the past three years has been great,” Barbara P. of Carlisle wrote. “They also have true gluten-free options (not just burgers with no buns or salads) which is great for a celiac person. [disease] like me. It is almost impossible to eat with celiac in most mountains. My non celiac meal mates all loved the food too.
- “The prawn skewers, meatballs and burger wrap are all very delicious,” M wrote from Westford. “The spicy ranch dressing in the burger wrap is the perfect topping.”
New Hampshire
Cranmore Hill Station
- Zip’s Pub. “They have the best chili I’ve had at any ski resort,” wrote Maura B. of Arlington. “Zip’s Pub makes the best chili nachos. Die for!”
Vermont
Burke Mountain Station
- Show ad. “Venison poutine – amazing gravy and Vermont cheese curd,” wrote Tom de Melrose. “A great second for blue chips. And finally a Hill Farmstead Edward to wash it all down.
Jay Peak Resort
- hungry miso
- “Jay Peak has THE BEST ramen at their gondola truck incline location!” wrote Jenn from Hanover. “Hot, quick, fresh and delicious Japanese ramen makes for a great lunch stop on the mountain. It’s so good that we talk about it all year long until we can have the next bowl.
- “It’s trackside, made from scratch, and belly-warming on a cold New England day,” wrote John from Boxford.
Killington Ski Resort
- State of the art lodge
- “I look forward to this experience every year and it never disappoints,” Easton’s Lisa O. wrote. “The bartenders and staff at Peak Lodge can’t be beat, as well as the beautiful view. Do yourself a favor, go to the Beast, get on the gondola and have an Irish coffee with Peak Maple Wings!
- “The colossal shrimp and bacon stuffed Bloody Marys with their legendary burgers are as out of this world as the views,” wrote Tony G. of Andover.
magic mountain
- Black Line Tavern. “The appetizer sampler of potstickers, tenders, grilled ravioli and onion rings feeds a hungry skier crowd and pairs perfectly with a wide selection of Vermont-brewed beers,” wrote Sarah B. d ‘East Boston. “Apres ski music is great too!”
Stratton Mountain Station
- Grizzly is at Base Lodge. Chris F. from East Brunswick, NJ orders the nachos, which he wrote are “too big for two people, so good they warrant a take-out box and made me wear them [the] lift and ski [with them] to the car… dinner is served.
Stowe Mountain Station
Sugar bush station
- Castle Rock Pub
- Green Mountain base lodge. “This is awesome,” Matt from Warren, Vermont wrote of the burger smash.
- Rumbles Bistro & Bar. “100 feet from the main ski lifts, a great selection of Vermont craft beers, and the best burgers and wings for lunch and Steak Frites for dinner,” wrote Matt from Bolton. “The refined grilled cheese with local smokehouse bacon and wild blueberry jam is ridiculous.”
- Walt is at the Glen House. “This place is very small and quaint and has an old school vibe about it. Nothing out of the ordinary here,” Bryce from Easthampton wrote. “Sit halfway up the mountain and watch the top while you eat.”
Maine
Sugar Loaf Mountain
- by Bullwinkle
- Eighty 8 Donut Cafe. “Mini donuts. Super-sized flavor!” Easton’s Jay A. wrote.
- The Bag & Kettle Restaurant
- “One of the best burgers ever in a fun, friendly atmosphere,” wrote Liz W. of Quincy.
- “Bag Burger from The Bag,” wrote one Norwood reader. “Perfectly cooked/seasoned and topped with Bag sauce. Excellent home brewed beer to go with it.
- “The burgers, pizzas and soups are all exceptional,” wrote Steve S. of Beverly.
- “The Burger Bag!!!” writes Ryder from Ipswich.
Sunday resort
- Sun of Cho
- “BEST on the mountain lunch anywhere,” Matt wrote.
- “Authentic ramen, sushi and beer,” wrote Megan M. of Winchester. “What’s better than a hot bowl of ramen on a cold day?”
- Foggy glasses. “The best overpriced pub in the area,” wrote Brian F. of Dorchester.
- Cursors
- “This is a proper restaurant with great scratch food and a very solid wine list,” wrote Winchester’s Megan McKinnon. “Highly recommend the homemade whipped ricotta with local honeycomb. I dream of this dish.
- “Sliders Burger from Sliders. Great food with a view!” wrote Chris Coleman from Barrington, RI
Answers slightly edited for clarity.